Travel Trade Maldives (TTM), the largest travel fair in the Maldives, has officially concluded its second edition.
Held from April 30 to May 5, the second edition of TTM received tremendous support from industry professionals.
Spanning over a period of six days, this year’s TTM featured a brand new component, the Maldives Supplier Expo, which was targeted towards resort personnel from departments such as procurement, finance, accounts, F&B, and engineering. With 23 suppliers exhibiting during the first of its kind expo, major local and international supply chains participated, along with operational personnel from various tourism establishments including resorts and guesthouses.
Maldives Supplier Expo held during TTM 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
Local suppliers include Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Al Shaali Marine Maldives, Allied Insurance, Fuel Supply Maldives (FSM), Ooredoo Maldives, Laniakea Tech, Linkserve, M7 Print and State Trading Organisation (STO). Alia Investments, Asia Group, Asters, Astrabon, City Investments, Copier Plus, EVO, Male’ Aerated Water Company (MAWC), Onestop, Rateria Fabrics, Scarlet Maldives, Sea Gear, The Hawks, and VAM & Company also exhibited at the two-day expo.
Maldives Supplier Expo held during TTM 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
TTM 2018 has been more successful than the first edition held last year, as this year’s show hosted over 400 industry professionals from leading resorts and hotels. More than 4,000 meetings were held at the main convention centre of Dharubaaruge in capital Male, where business contracts were negotiated amongst the exhibitors and travel agencies.
“TTM 2018 pre-scheduled meetings which was held from 1st-3rd May was an immensely successful component for all the exhibitors and the travel agents/tour operators from across the globe who participated in this three-day fair,” a statement issued by organiser Maldives Getaways read.
Pre-scheduled meetings of TTM 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
TTM 2018 kicked off on April 30 with a summit dedicated to tackle the most pressing issues in the world-renowned holiday destination.
While the pre-scheduled meetings took place from May 1-3 at Dharubaaruge, all participants of TTM 2018, including local and international exhibitors and visitors as well as partners, attended the TTM Gala Night hosted by Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi resort Wednesday evening.
Officials of Maldives Getaways pose for a photo with partners at the gala night of TTM 2018. PHOTO/ MALDIVES GETAWAYS
TTM, which was launched last year by local PR firm Maldives Getaways, aims to facilitate the tourism industry of Maldives to reach the ultimate target of two million tourists per year with over USD 3.5 billion in receipts by the end of 2020.
According to organisers, the third edition of TTM will take place from April 20-22, 2019.
Meanwhile, Maldives Getaways will partner with Sri Lankan authorities to host the first ever Travel Trade Sri Lanka from April 24-26, 2019 in capital Colombo.
Maldives on Thursday welcomed the one millionth tourist to visit this year.
The one millionth tourist is a Thai named Sutapa Amonwivat, who arrived from Singapore with her husband and two children. This is her second visit to Maldives.
Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Ministry of Tourism gave a warm welcome to Sutapa at the Velana International Airport (VIA) Thursday afternoon. She was welcomed at the VIA by tourism minister Ibrahim Faisal, MMPRC Managing Director Ibrahim Shiury and senior officials of various relevant agencies.
After welcoming her with traditional offerings, she was presented with various gifts by the ministry, MMPRC, customs, immigration, Maldives Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (MATATO) and Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA).
Maldives reached one million tourists in June, three weeks earlier than last year. The number of tourists reached one million on July 16, 2023.
Maldives expects to reach 2 million tourists this year.
Chongqing Airlines on Monday began its inaugural flights to Maldives.
The Chongqing-Male route, scheduled three times a week, is expected to strengthen the bonds between China and the Maldives, opening up exciting new opportunities for tourism and cultural exchange.
The inaugural flight was welcomed upon its arrival at Velana International Airport (VIA) in Maldives, where local officials and tourism representatives expressed their enthusiasm for this new development.
“We warmly welcome our friends from China to our beautiful islands. This new connection strengthens our bonds and opens up new opportunities for tourism,” the tourism ministry said on X.
Maldives currently welcomes four airlines from China, including China Eastern, Beijing Capital Airlines, Xiamen Airlines.
In January, Maldives government urged tourism stakeholders in both Maldives and China to ramp up efforts to restore China’s position as the primary source market for Maldives tourism, a status held before the onset of Covid-19.
China, being the largest source market for Maldives tourism before the pandemic, saw a resumption of tourist arrivals from January 2023 after a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic. In 2023, the Maldives welcomed 187,118 Chinese tourists, marking a significant recovery in numbers. This year, the Maldives has welcomed the most number of tourists from China, with over 107,940 or 11.5 percent of total arrivals by June 12.
CROSSROADS Maldives has introduced WeChat Pay, widely known as Weixin Pay in China, across its world-class resorts, SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Hard Rock Hotel Maldives. This payment option is made available to enhance the convenience and overall experience for guests from China, making their stay in the Maldives more enjoyable and hassle-free.
Understanding the needs of the diverse guests, CROSSROADS Maldives has integrated WeChat Pay into operations, allowing guests from China to easily and securely conduct transactions using a payment method familiar to them. The introduction of WeChat Pay is a testament to CROSSROADS Maldives’ dedication to enhancing guest satisfaction by offering exceptional experiences at every turn. What is also expected through this initiative is that the guests could benefit from better foreign exchange rates, translating to better savings on their expenditures during their stay.
The option is available for guests in-house conveniently at both resorts as well as across the Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives where a wider variety of unparalleled dining and retail experiences are available for all guests. The day visitors from China will also therefore equally benefit from this new introduction at the Maldives’ premier multi-island integrated leisure destination.
SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, is a vibrant tropical escape that offers unique and locally inspired experiences. The resort features spacious rooms and villas, a variety of dining options, and an array of recreational activities designed to cater to the desires of modern travellers. Guests can escape to the island’s SAiisational natural beauty, enjoy water sports, and indulge in spa treatments, all while relishing the personalised service that defines Hilton’s Curio Collection.
Hard Rock Hotel Maldives brings the iconic Hard Rock spirit to the tranquil shores of the Maldives. This family-friendly resort offers a perfect blend of relaxation and entertainment, featuring music-inspired experiences, live performances, and the brand’s signature amenities. With luxurious accommodations, diverse dining options, and a plethora of activities for all ages, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives ensures an unforgettable holiday experience for every guest.
